Toxic molds can produce several toxic chemicals called mycotoxins that can damage your health. These chemicals are present on the spores and small mold fragments that are released into the air.

 

In high concentrations, mold fragments, spores, and mycotoxins can trigger symptoms even in individuals who have no allergies.

• Recent studies have linked mold to the rapid rise of the asthma rate over the past 20 years.
• A 1999 Mayo Clinic study implicates fungus as the cause of almost all of the chronic sinusitus afflicting 37 million Americans.
• Toxic molds can increase your susceptibility to a wide variety of diseases by weakening your immune system.

Molds reproduce by spreading microscopic spores. Mold spores waft through the indoor and outdoor air continually. When mold spores land on damp organic material, such as wood, paper, feathers, hair, cellulose, petroleum products, rubber, carpet, etc., they may begin growing and digesting the material.

 

Some molds live in temperatures below freezing, and some like it as warm as 122 ° F. Molds primarily thrive and become a problem when the relative humidity level is above 60%, with temperatures between 50 and 90 degrees F. (10 to 32 degrees C.) and a pH from 3 to 8. Molds also tend to be more robust in poorly ventilated areas with little air movement to disrupt their growth.

 

There is no practical way to eliminate all mold and mold spores in the indoor environment; the way to control indoor mold growth is to limit moisture. During humid weather, avoid excessive ventilation and use an air conditioners and/or dehumidifier to keep relative humidity below 60%. Sealing air leaks in the building's exterior and using a mechanical ventilation system to provide fresh filtered air can help to reduce entry of mold spores and make it easier to keep indoor relative humidity below 60%.

 

Indoor mold growth usually can be seen or smelled. In most cases, if visible mold growth is present, sampling is not needed. There are no health or exposure-based standards that individuals can use to evaluate a mold sample. The amount of mold it takes to cause illness varies from person to person.